What is Wakame?

Wakame is a thin form of seaweed sourced from brown algae that is commonly used in making seaweed salad and miso soup in Japanese cuisine. It is rich in a number of essential vitamins and minerals and is also an excellent source of fucoidan.

Benefits of Wakame

Wakame contains a myriad of vitamins and nutrients such as vitamin A, C, E, and K, as well as B vitamins and many minerals, like calcium, magnesium, and sodium. Its rich mineral and nutrient content allow wakame to help promote healthy growth of hair and nails.

Fucoidan- A Main Property In This Seaweed

One of the main constituents of wakame is a substance called fucoidan. This molecule has recently become the topic of several different preliminary research studies. This sulphated molecule is a common additive in dietary supplements. Some studies have found that fucoidan may have the potential to induce apoptosis ("cell suicide") in some mutated cell types in the lab.

It may also have the ability to protect red blood cells during radiation exposure. It has also been found to have the potential to inhibit the formation of allergic antibodies (IgE) in the skin of people with eczema. Thus, wakame may help to reduce and prevent allergic eczema, and may be used to help treat cancer in future. More research is required before conclusions can be drawn.

Iodine & Wakame

Because of /articles/supplements/iodine/, it has become extremely difficult to get sufficient amounts from the diet alone. To counter this problem, staple foods like table salt are enriched with iodine to help cover the gap. In the case of iodized salt, it is the inorganic form of iodine that is added. Natural, organic sources, such as those derived from wakame, are much more absorbable and easier for the thyroid gland to use than the inorganic (mined) sources found in enriched foods.

Hypothyroidism

Some cases of hypothyroidism can be attributed to a lack of iodine, and this causes a swollen thyroid (goitre). When there is insufficient iodine available to the thyroid gland, it is not able to produce sufficient thyroid hormone. Thus, it cannot properly regulate the body's metabolism, a condition known as hypothyroidism. Hypothyroid individuals experience many symptoms due to a lack of thyroid hormone, including fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, constipation, and frequent colds and flus.

How Can I Get More Wakame?

Wakame can be found dried or fresh in many supermarkets. It can also be found in powder or tablet form. Iodine in supplement form is usually derived from natural seaweed sources and is available in liquid, capsule, or tablet forms. The standardized types of these supplements contain a higher level of iodine and a consistent amount in each tablet – usually about 150mcg (0.15mg). This is the preferred form for clinical use in low thyroid conditions, while the unstandardized wakame is suitable for people in need of a daily supplement for health maintenance. Often this is most easily achieved by simply incorporating either raw or dried wakame into your diet.